Race Organizers

[John_H]

This topic will be reserved for Race Organizer related communications and issues.

[John_H]

Tri-State Alpine Head Tax Accounting Sheet

In case you missed the email from Laura (Tri-State Administrator), here is the Tri-State Head Tax Accounting Sheet. Completed forms and head tax should be sent to the address listed on the form.

[John_H]

Reminders for Tri-State Race Organizers and Alpine Officials
(sent to all Tri-State TD and Race Organinzers 12/13/2005)

Official Results: Race Organizers should forward a copy of all race results to:

Tri-State AO Chairman
PO Box 898
West Brookfield, MA 01585

The race results should include the following documents:
• Race Transmittal
• Official Results
• Penalty Report (if applicable)
• TD Report
• Timing Technical Report (if applicable)

Race Organizers must contact the assigned TD prior to the race as per 2.1.4.4.1. As a minimum, the TD should be provided with the name and phone number of the Chief of Race so that any necessary communications and preparations can be made prior to the event date. This may be accomplished through the use of the Advance Race Information for Officials form found in the Master Packet of Forms.

B-Net: To reserve Tri-State B-net for your event or to obtain a copy of the Barry B-net installation guidelines contact your regional fencing committee member:

CT: Steve Cloud 860-738-1173 scloud63@aol.com
EMA: John Higgins 508-867-9347 john.higgins@att.net
WMA: Mark Sullivan 413-634-5766 uskram@aol.com

Referee Appointment: The TD is responsible to appoint the Referee. (2.1.2.2.1) Ideally this should be done several days in advance of the event. Also, assistant referees may be appointed for SL and GS events for training purposes.

USSA Memberships for USSA-sanctioned (non-FIS) events: Jury members, Start and Finish Referees, Chief of Course, Course Setters, Competitors, and Forerunners are required to be members of the USSA. (1.1.6.2)

Juries: All scored races should have at least one Level III official on the jury.

Radios: All jury members plus the start and finish referee must be equipped with radios. (2.1.3.8)

Minutes of Jury meetings with or without protest require the signature of the jury members and should be included with the race packet.

Disqualifications: A competitor shall only be disqualified if his/her mistake would result in an advantage with regard to the final results unless the Rules state otherwise. (1.4.3.3)

Report of the Referee: The Report of the Referee must include the gate number where the infraction occurred or rule reference for other disqualifications. This allows for equipment, start, and finish violations that result in disqualification where no gate number can be assigned. (2.1.3.10)

Protest Fees: The standard protest fee is $50 except for equipment protests which are $100. (2.5.4.4) Juries may set a lesser protest fee. (2.5.4.4.1) Equipment protest fees as well as the jury's intention to control equipment should be discussed at the Team Captains Meeting.

Vertical Drop: TDs are required to verify the vertical drop of race courses this season. This is most easily accomplished by use of an altimeter or topographical map. The Tri-State AO Chairman has recommended that all race organizers obtain the USGS topographical map for their area and take the time to locate the start and finish elevations prior to the start of the season. This information can then be reviewed by the assigned TD on race day. Any areas needing assistance in locating the appropriate map or identifying their start/finish elevations should contact John Higgins (john.higgins@att.net)

Vertical Drop, Minimum Time, and Minimum Penalty: The rules have again been modified for this season. The minimum penalty for a non-FIS USSA race is 25.00. Please reference the table on page 133 in the 2005-2006 Competition Guide for a complete summary.

Slalom: There are two significant rules changes in Slalom for this season. First, gate counts will only count changes of direction (similar to what we have been doing for both GS and SG). Second, the maximum distance from turning pole to turning pole has been reduced to 13 meters. (Formerly it was a 15 meter maximum.)

Accident Forms: USSA must be notified of injuries at all sanctioned events where an injury claim may result. Race Organizers should have the required form, American Specialty First Report of Accident, available. For accidents that fit the "Guidelines for Serious Accident", the TD Accident Form must also be filed. These forms are available in the Master Packet of Forms.

USSA TD Report: This form has been slightly revised for this season to include documentation of the 'Measured Vertical Drop' and a Yes/No confirmation that the event has a minimum vertical drop requirement.

USSA Timing Technical Report Form: This form has been slightly revised for this season in the signature block. Copies of the new form along with a "How to" explanation can be found in the Master Packet of Forms.

F Values are unchanged for this season DH:1320 SL:600 GS:870 SG:1050

Maximum Seed Point values for penalty calculations: DH:820 SL:360 GS:530 SG:660

Second Run Start Order: The second run bibbo, 'Flip 30' format is now the default. (2.3.1.12) Juries can decide to use a flip 15 format if the provisions of 1.3.1.12.3 are met.

Forerunners must be USSA members and must meet all USSA regulations including vertical drop, gate count, etc. (2.1.7.1)

Official Inspection Times: Race Organizers need to clearly inform the competitors e.g. by an announcement at the start, when official inspection time ends. (2.2.3.8)

Team Captains' Meeting should be held prior to course inspection to determine/ communicate course inspection method, use of chemicals, identification of the 2nd run course setter, and other matters relative to the race. An Assistant RF may be appointed at SL/GS events for training purposes.

Master Packet of Forms: USSA is not expected to send out a complete packet of forms to each organizer this season. All of the forms can be downloaded from the ussa.org website. The Master Packet of Forms for this season is currently located at: http://www.ussa.org/PublishingFolder/186.htm

Race Scoring Software: The USSA race scoring software is available from Split Second Timing:
http://www.splitsecond.com It’s free! (If you want the program to pull data directly from your timing system - that will cost you.)

USSA Points Lists: USSA will publish 8 points lists this season. They will only be available electronically from the USSA website. See page 7 of the 2005-2006 Alpine Competition Guide for close and valid dates.

Head Tax: USSA (scored races): $6 Tri-State (all races): $2

USSA Volunteer Race Worker Registration Forms should be completed by any race workers who are not USSA members.

Websites:
http://www.tristateskiracing.org
http://www.ussa.org

[John_H]

Here is the text of an email reminder received from USSA regarding On-site USSA memberships and FIS race entry reminders:

Completed documents for all on-site USSA memberships (coach, official or competitor) should immediately be faxed to USSA Membership at 435-647-2052. This procedure requires credit card payment. Originals must still be included in the result packet submitted to USSA.

As a further reminder: Competitors in FIS events MUST have a FIS inscription code (with Points or Provisional - without Points) or they cannot appear on Start Lists, etc.
Foreign competitors must be entered by their Federations
USSA CANNOT process FIS inscriptions for foreign competitors.
FIS codes, if not present on the entry, on the USSA website (for USSA athletes) or not listed in the current FIS Points List, can be found in alpine/competitor biography/all section on the FIS website.